Spring Chinook Salmon Production in the Deschutes Basin Project Narrative Project Name Spring Chinook Salmon Production in The Deschutes River Basin Project Number 2008-311-00 Proposer Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWSRO) Short Description Continue annual monitoring of natural and artificial production of spring Chinook salmon in streams on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, and implement new projects to 1) increase and improve monitoring technology and methods, and 2) increase natural production on reservation streams. Province(s) Columbia Plateau Subbasin(s) Deschutes Contact Name Jens Lovtang, Jennifer Graham, Brad Houslet Contact email jlovtang@wstribes.org, jgraham@wstribes.org, bhouslet@wstribes.org ABSTRACT Over the 10 year span of this project, the natural production of spring Chinook salmon in Shitike Creek and the Warm Springs River will be monitored. New projects will be implemented in an attempt to increase natural production. Established monitoring protocols will be continued, which include outmigrant trapping at the mouths of the streams, index reach redd counts, snorkeling to monitor juvenile rearing, and monitoring of adult spawning escapement via weir or video monitoring. New protocols will be implemented to increase and improve monitoring, including the purchase and installation of new monitoring equipment: two additional rotary screw traps will be installed to conduct outmigrant trapping in tributary streams to Warm Springs River; two Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag arrays will be installed on reservation streams (one at the mouth of Shitike Creek, and one at the mouth of the Warm Springs River); and a permanent video monitoring station will be designed and installed near the mouth of Shitike Creek. Objectives will be implemented to increase natural production of spring Chinook salmon in reservation streams. Feasibility studies will be initiated to investigate methods of supplementation, which may include the use of streamside hatchboxes, fry releases of wild-origin fry or smolts into areas with limited production, development of acclimation facilities, and development of a tribal production facility. The outplanting of hatchery Chinook salmon into Shitike Creek may continue as directed by the Tribal Fish and Wildlife Committee.
TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND Spring Chinook salmon are an integral part of the cultural and spiritual identity of the people of CTWSRO, and are an essential aspect of tribal nutritional health. The majority of natural production of this species in the Deschutes River Basin occurs on two stream systems on CTWSRO lands: the Warm Springs River and Shitike Creek. The Warm Springs watershed covers 526 square miles, reaching from 3,775 feet in elevation in the Cascade Mountains to 1,230 feet at its confluence with the Deschutes River at RM 84. The river flows 53 miles and provides 41 miles of anadromous fish habitat. Two major tributaries, Mill Creek and Beaver Creek, also support anadromous fish. Shitike Creek drains 76 square miles, with elevations ranging from 5,280 to 1,476 feet. It extends 30 miles, providing 25.7 miles of anadromous fish habitat, and joins the Deschutes River at RM 97. In addition to natural production, the federally operated Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (WSNFH) is located on tribal lands and produces approximately 750,000 spring Chinook smolts annually for release into the Warm Springs River. The CTWSRO, in cooperation with the USFWS, co-manages the WSNFH (CTWSRO and USFWS 2007). The CTWSRO has monitored the natural and artificial production of spring Chinook salmon on reservation streams for over 30 years. Monitoring efforts have included juvenile outmigration, juvenile rearing, redd surveys, and adult escapement (Table 1). Table 1. Spring Chinook monitoring activities by the CTWSRO 1977-2008 Activity Season Warm Springs River Years Conducted Shitike Creek Outmigrant Trapping Spring/Fall 1977-2008 1995-2008 Index Site Redd Counts Late Summer 1986-2008 1986-2008 Juvenile Rearing Summer 2002-2004, 2006-2008 1986-1989, 2000-2004, 2006-2008 Adult Spawning Escapement Spring/Summer 1981-2008 (@ WSNFH) 2005-2008 Outplanting of Adult Hatchery Chinook Summer - 2000-2008 Carcass Outplanting Fall 2002-2008 2002-2008 Monitoring of the wild and hatchery spring Chinook populations in the Warm Springs River is an essential part of fisheries management in the Deschutes River. Harvest seasons and limits at the Sherar s Falls fishery, which includes tribal platform and hook and line fisheries as well as a sport hook-and-line fishery, are directly based upon preseason predictions of the wild spring Chinook run past the WSNFH. These preseason predictions are generated cooperatively by the CTWSRO and the USFWS, using a variety of different predictive models (e.g. Gauvin, Olsen, and Hand 2007). Most recently, the best model for predicting the number of 4-year old fish (which comprise the
majority of the run) returning to the WSNFH is a regression model using the number of 3-year old fish (jacks) returning in the previous year. Other predictive models that have been investigated include cohort ratios, smolt-to-adult (SAR) ratios, potential egg deposition, and others. One of the overall goals of CTWSRO s program of life-historybased monitoring is to generate more data that can increase the predictive capacity of such models, and aid in the development of new ones. A stock recruitment analysis of spring Chinook salmon in the Warm Springs River conducted by the USFWS (Cates 1992) indicated that approximately 1,377 wild adult salmon above the hatchery would provide the maximum production of progeny. The average number of wild Chinook arriving at the WSNFH between 1975-2008 is 1304. However, the number of wild fish has fluctuated greatly in the past decade and a half (Table 2), with runs as high as 2,622 fish in 2000, and as low as 162 in 1995. Spawning escapement before hatchery operations were fully implemented in 1981 was 1904 (maximum 2878, minimum 968) adults. The CTWSRO and USFWS, in the Operational Plan for the WSNFH (CTWSRO and USFWS 2007) have a long-term goal of returning wild fish numbers to pre-hatchery escapement of 2,800 fish. The natural production of spring Chinook in the Warm Springs Basin is spread primarily between three streams: the Warm Springs River, Beaver Creek, and Mill Creek. Prior to the year 2001, the productivity of the three streams (as measured by redd index counts) was fairly constant. However, after 2000, the proportion of redds in these tributaries has been more variable, for unknown reasons. To date, CTWRSO has monitored juvenile salmonid outmigration only at one point, near the mouth of the river. Beginning in 2009, CTWSRO will focus more efforts on quantifying the natural production of spring Chinook salmon in these tributary basins. Beaver Creek and Mill Creek have been identified as streams for potential supplementation of wild spring Chinook salmon, as well as for habitat restoration activities (See Deschutes Habitat Restoration Program, BPA# 2008-301-00). Supplementation may be implemented in several ways, e.g. streamside hatchboxes, fry or smolt releases, or outplanting of gravid adults. The feasibility of these methods will be investigated, with possible implementation within the next 2-5 years. Additionally, supplementation efforts may be coordinated with habitat restoration activities, and will provide data related to the effectiveness of those activities.
Table 2. Wild and hatchery spring Chinook salmon at the WSNFH, 1975 2008. Return Year Wild Adults Wild Jacks Hatchery Adults Hatchery Jacks 1975 2,182 0 0 0 1976 2,878 0 0 0 1977 1,505 101 0 0 1978 2,584 76 0 0 1979 1,322 73 0 0 1980 968 34 0 0 1981 1,525 54 85 0 1982 1,408 46 895 21 1983 1,523 34 355 16 1984 1,192 164 789 203 1985 1,099 56 1,073 36 1986 1,656 55 152 197 1987 1,697 86 484 258 1988 1,578 69 431 393 1989 1,344 65 2,362 176 1990 1,821 46 1,324 66 1991 773 40 600 44 1992 1,040 17 771 20 1993 528 6 295 14 1994 425 10 42 10 1995 162 75 216 75 1996 1,261 26 712 23 1997 861 9 1,129 9 1998 248 23 647 6 1999 367 127 2,644 126 2000 2,622 81 6,666 79 2001 2,155 97 4,369 97 2002 1,388 51 6,840 51 2003 1,280 120 5,906 117 2004 2,350 78 3,436 108 2005 677 30 962 201 2006 1,015 68 2,636 140 2007 367 32 1,196 366 2008 532 24 2452 245 32 Year Average 1,304 55 1,455 91
Migrant Traps WSNFH Main Holding Areas Main Spawning Areas Figure 1. Distribution of spring Chinook salmon on the Warm Springs Reservation, and locations of the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (WSNFH) and migrant traps.
RATIONALE AND SIGNIFICANCE TO REGIONAL PROGRAMS The Columbia Basin Accords describe objectives for habitat and non-hatchery commitments (BPA MOA, Section III.A.2) including actions benefiting species addressed under the Northwest Power Act (category 3). The project described in this narrative, which is a continuation and expansion of existing monitoring efforts, is a new RM&E project under this category. The stock of spring Chinook salmon in the Deschutes basin is fairly healthy and productive but their spawning and rearing areas are concentrated in small geographic areas (NPPC 2005). Currently, spring Chinook salmon in the Deschutes River are not listed under the Endangered Species Act. However, the Mainstem Amendments to the to the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Plan (NPCC 2003) outlines biological objectives to, improve the life-cycle survival of important populations of listed and unlisted salmon, steelhead, resident fish, and wildlife success in protecting and enhancing abundant and diverse naturally spawning populations of salmon and steelhead and other native fish requires an emphasis on protecting, enhancing, connecting, and restoring habitats and populations that are relatively productive. Inherent in these objectives is the protection of important non-listed tributary populations, including spring Chinook salmon in the Deschutes River. The Warm Springs River and Shitike Creek are within the boundary of the lower Westside Deschutes Assessment Unit, as defined in the Deschutes Subbasin plan (NPCC 2005). This assessment unit includes the 100 miles of mainstem lower Deschutes River, Shitike Creek, and the Warm Springs River (Section ES.2, page ES-3, and Section 4.1, page 4-2). Chinook Salmon are one of five aquatic focal species identified by the subbasin plan (section 3.2.1, page 3-1). Although spring Chinook salmon in the Deschutes River Basin are not listed under the Endangered Species Act, they are of strong ecological and cultural value both to tribal and local citizens, and are a keystone species in the Deschutes Basin. The Deschutes Subbasin Plan (NPCC 2005) outlines the following goals and objectives for spring Chinook salmon in the Lower Westside Deschutes Assessment unit: Achieve and maintain an annual run of 2,600 to 2,800 adult spring Chinook to the Deschutes River destined for the Lower Westside Deschutes Assessment Unit streams (Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment model projection (EDT)). Achieve a spawning escapement of 2,200 to 2,300 adult wild spring Chinook salmon above the barrier dam at Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. Achieve a spawning escapement of 400 to 500 adult wild spring Chinook salmon into Shitike Creek. Increase spring Chinook salmon population life history diversity from 95% to 98% (EDT projection). Increase spring Chinook salmon population productivity from 5.4 to 7.0 (EDT projection).
Increase spring Chinook salmon habitat capacity by the equivalent of 702 adult fish (EDT projection). Achievement of these goals will require monitoring of the status and trend of spring Chinook populations, both basin wide and on smaller scales. Additionally, cooperative efforts between fish production monitoring and habitat restoration activities will be necessary. The limiting factors most directly related to the attainment of these goals are habitat quality issues, which include lack of habitat complexity and quantity, water temperate issues, increases in fine sediment, and altered hydrology. In addition to the specific objectives and work elements outlined in this narrative, there will also be cooperative efforts between the CTWRSO Fish Production Program and the CTWSRO Deschutes Habitat Restoration to identify and address limiting factors in specific areas. Projects will be developed aimed at identifying specific problems, implementing fixes, and monitoring the effectiveness of those efforts. In 1995, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), of which the CTWSRO is an active member, published a plan to restore anadromous fish populations to historic levels in the Columbia Basin above Bonneville Dam. This document was called Wy-Kan-Ush-Me Wa-Kish-Wit (CRITFC 1996). The goal of this plan was to halt the decline of salmon, sturgeon and lamprey populations within 7 years, and lists a number of objectives that are focused on enhancing wild populations of salmon. Among the objectives is to develop and initiate supplementation projects to enhance runs of wild fish in their native habitats. In 1992, CTWSRO and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) completed two Integrated Resource Management Plans (IRMPs) for forested and non-forested reservation lands. These plans established goals and objectives for sustaining or improving fish and aquatic resources within the boundaries of Warm Springs Reservation and adjacent waters within tribal ceded lands (CTWSRO 1992a; CTWSRO 1992b). The primary goal of these plans in regard to fisheries management is to 1) maintain and enhance populations of resident and anadromous fish to meet the cultural, subsistence and recreational needs of tribal members, and 2) manage watershed processes to maintain or improve functional aquatic habitats for fish and other water-dependent resources. The federally operated Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (WSNFH) is located on tribal lands leased to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This facility produces approximately 750,000 spring Chinook smolts annually for release into the Warm Springs River, and blocks passage to hatchery fish upstream of the hatchery. The CTWSRO, in cooperation with the USFWS, co-manages the WSNFH to be, compatible with, and complimentary to CTWSRO fishery management goals (CTWSRO and USFWS 2007). The CTWSRO will maintain its involvement in the management and operation of the WSNFH.
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROJECTS Table 3. Relationship to other projects Funding Project # Project Title Relationship (brief) Source USFWS 13310-7-J141 PCSRF 2007-03-01 BPA 2008-301-00 BPA 2008-305-00 BPA 2008-307-00 Cooperative Agreement between USFWS and CTWSRO Fish Production Assessment on the Warm Springs Reservation VII CTWSRO Deschutes Habitat Restoration CTWSRO Steelhead Production and Monitoring CTWSRO Sockeye Development Evaluate the effect of hatchery operations at the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery on wild fish populations in the Deschutes River Basin. Monitor spring Chinook and steelhead on reservation streams; provide equipment and infrastructure to improve monitoring efforts. Develop habitat restoration activities directed at increasing salmonid production in reservation streams; share personnel to monitor effectiveness of habitat restoration activities. Share personnel and equipment to monitor production of steelhead in reservation streams; investigate methods of increasing steelhead production. Share personnel and equipment to monitor kokanee population dynamics in Lake Billy Chinook; investigate methods of reestablishing sockeye runs in the Deschutes Basin. PROJECT HISTORY This is a new BPA Program.
PROPOSAL BIOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES, WORK ELEMENTS AND METHODS Objective 1) Provide management direction, planning, and administration of BPA projects Work element # 119: Manage and Administer Projects Title: Fish Production Program, Annual Project Planning and Administration The CTWSRO will be implementing several new BPA-funded programs in 2009. Three of these: Chinook Production Monitoring, Steelhead Production Monitoring, and Sockeye Development (See Table 3) will be administered under the CTWRSO Fish Production Program. As such, many of the duties, tasks, and equipment involved with data collection for these projects will be shared by CTWSRO personnel. Objective 2) Estimate the number of wild juvenile Chinook salmon migrating out of the Warm Springs River and Shitike Creek. Work element #157: Collect / Generate / validate field data: Title: Juvenile Salmonid outmigrant trapping in the Warm Springs River and Shitike Creek. Task 1: Juvenile salmonid outmigrant monitoring at the mouth of the Warm Springs River Description: An 8-foot rotary screw trap will be operated during the spring (March June) and fall (October-December) emigration periods to capture and enumerate juvenile salmonids migrating out of the Warm Springs River. Task 2: Juvenile salmonid outmigrant monitoring at the mouth of Shitike Creek Description: A 5-foot rotary screw trap will be operated during the spring (March June) and fall (October-December) emigration periods to capture and enumerate juvenile salmonids migrating out of Shitike Creek. Task 3: Juvenile salmonid outmigrant monitoring in the middle Warm Springs River Description: A 5-foot rotary screw trap will be operated during the spring (March June) and fall (October-December) emigration periods to capture and enumerate juvenile salmonids migrating out of the upper Warm Springs River. Trap will be placed at approximately RM 28. Task 4: Juvenile salmonid outmigrant monitoring in Beaver Creek Description: A 5 foot rotary screw trap will be operated during the spring (March June) and fall (October-December) emigration periods to capture and enumerate juvenile salmonids migrating out of Upper Beaver Creek. Trap will be placed at approximately RM 8.
Methods for all tasks: Traps will be run 4 or 5 days a week. All fish collected from the traps will be anesthetized using MS-222, identified to species, tallies and placed in a recovery bucket. The first 20 of each species on each day will be measured and weighed. All fish will be returned to the river after recovery. On the first 3 days of each week, all juvenile salmonids will be marked with a fin clip (upper or lower caudal on a rotating weekly basis) and released approximately 1/2 mile upstream of the trap. Recaptured individuals will be counted, but not measured or weighed. This mark / recapture method will be used as a method of estimating trap efficiency and assist in generating population estimates. Work Element # 156: Develop R, M & E Methods and Designs. Title: Mill Creek juvenile monitoring Task: Investigate methods of monitoring juvenile salmonid production in Mill Creek. Description: Although Mill Creek does support anadromous spring Chinook salmon, the creek is most likely too small for deployment of a 5 foot screw trap. The CTWSRO will investigate other methods of monitoring production of juvenile salmon, which may include trapping, seining, mark - recapture efforts, or other methods. Work Element #162 Analyze/Interpret Data Title: Juvenile Chinook Outmigration Estimates Task: The data collected at the screw traps will be used to generate estimates of the number of juvenile Chinook salmon outmigrating from the Warm Springs River, tributaries to the Warm Springs River, and Shitike Creek in the spring and fall. Estimates will be generated for 3 groups of fish: age-0 spring migrants (fry), age-1 fall outmigrants, and age-1 spring migrants (smolts). Methods: Population estimates will be generated using three methodologies: weekly data, seasonal data, and a bootstrap program on seasonal data. For each period of trapping, estimates will be generated for each group of fish (species and age) based on the number of unmarked fish caught, the number of fish marked, and the number of marked fish recaptured. The total estimate from each week will be summed to generate a seasonal estimate. Results from all three methodologies, including 95% confidence intervals, will be reported for each season and for each brood year. Objective 3) Count the number of Chinook salmon redds in index reaches in the Warm Springs River Basin and Shitike Creek. Work element #157: Collect / Generate / validate field data: Title: Index Reach Redd Counts on CTWS Reservation Streams. Task: Conduct index reach redd surveys in the Warm Springs River (six reaches) Task: Conduct index reach redd surveys in Beaver Creek (five reaches) Task: Conduct index reach redd surveys in Mill Creek (at least three reaches. Counts may be expanded to cover all stream reaches available to anadromous fish)
Task: Conduct index reach redd surveys in Badger Creek (one reach) Task: Conduct index reach redd surveys in Shitike Creek (six reaches) Methods: A team of two or three surveyors will begin surveys at the top of each reach and walk downstream. For each survey, the date, time, and water temperature are recorded. When a redd is identified, it will be counted, and the area of the stream channel (left bank, right bank, or mid-channel) will be recorded. Typically each reach will be surveyed three times over the course of a six week period. Redd counts are summarized by reach, stream, and basin, and provide a method of comparing production from year to year, as well as helping to refine adult-to-redd ratios. Spawning escapement of adult fish is conducted at the WSNFH on the Warm Springs River, and is completed under the USFWS Cooperative agreement (see Table 3), and at a to-be-constructed video monitoring station on Shitike Creek (See Objective 5). Video counts of adult spawning escapement in Shitike Creek have been conducted at a temporary picket weir since 2005, which will be continued until the new monitoring station is installed and operational. Objective 4) Estimate the summertime rearing densities of juvenile Chinook salmon in the Warm Springs River Basin and Shitike Creek Work element #157: Collect / Generate / validate field data Title: Juvenile salmonid rearing monitoring Description: Monitor summertime abundance of juvenile salmonids in the Warm Springs River Basin (including Beaver Creek and Mill Creek) and Shitike Creek. Methods: This program is a continuation of a methodology initiated by the CTWSRO in 2006. Fours streams on the reservation are sampled via snorkeling: the Warm Springs River, Mill Creek, Beaver Creek, and Shitike Creek. Each of these streams has been segmented into reaches based on geomorphological differences. These reaches also correspond to redd survey reaches (Objective 4). A subsample of pools within each of these reaches will be sampled annually. Pools are selected for daytime snorkeling using a stratified random method. A selected number of pools are repeated in day and night dives each year for direct annual comparison. Two or three divers, depending on the size of stream, start at the bottom of each pool and move upstream, counting fish by species and age class. Three passes are conducted on each pool, with divers switching lanes between passes. Habitat information is collected on each pool, including: temperature prior to and after sampling, pool length, pool width at max depth, maximum depth, depth at pool tail crest, number of pieces of large wood within bankfull channel (>3 m in length, > 10 cm at small end, Root wads may be less than 3 m), and a categorical measure of percent Undercut bank (Classes: 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, 75-100%). Work Element #162 Analyze/Interpret Data Title: Juvenile Chinook Rearing Densities Description: Analyze snorkeling data to estimate densities of juvenile Chinook salmon in pools, and compare pool densities between and among reaches, streams, and years.
Methods: The data collected during snorkel surveys will be used to generate a population estimate for juvenile Chinook salmon in each pool, using a bounded count methodology (Dambacher 2001). Once estimates have been created, statistical tests will be performed to: 1) look for differences in juvenile densities between and among reaches and streams; 2) Investigate relationships between fish densities and habitat variables; and 3) compare annual results to previous years data. Objective 5) Supplement nutrients through carcass outplants in Shitike Creek and the Warm Springs River basin. Work Element # 157 Collect / Generate / validate field data: Title: Carcass Outplanting Description: Carcasses from Chinook salmon spawned at the WSNFH will be gutted and frozen on the day of spawning. Disease testing will be conducted by the USFWS. Carcasses that are declared disease free will be distributed into Shitike Creek and the Warm Springs River Basin. Objective 6) Design and install new monitoring infrastructure in Reservation streams Work Element # 165: Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Title: Permits and ESA Compliance for PIT tagging efforts Description: Obtain local permits and ESA/NEPA compliance associated with the installation of monitoring infrastructure. Work element # 70: Steelhead / Salmon monitoring weir or PIT tag detection station Title: Install Video monitoring system at mouth of Shitike Creek Description: Using a contractor, design and install video monitoring system near the mouth of Shitike Creek Work element # 70: Steelhead / Salmon monitoring weir or PIT tag detection station Title: Install PIT tag array at mouth of Warm Springs River Description: Using a contractor, design and install a full duplex PIT tag array near the mouth of the Warm Springs River Work element # 70: Steelhead / Salmon monitoring weir or PIT tag detection station Title: Install PIT tag array at mouth of Shitike Creek Description: Using a contractor, design and install a full duplex PIT tag array near the mouth of Shitike Creek
Objective 7) Use PIT tag technology to monitor wild spring Chinook populations. PIT tag technology has been used successfully to monitor wild populations of salmon throughout the Columbia basin. Tagging wild juvenile spring Chinook salmon at outmigrant traps would allow for investigation into several areas of interest, including outmigrating timing, SAR rates for different tributaries, and SAR rates for fall and spring outmigrants. Tagging of wild spring Chinook on CTWSRO streams would require permission from the CTWSRO Fish and Wildlife committees. If the compliance documentation and / or tribal committee permissions cannot be obtained, work will not proceed. The following work elements would be incorporated to meet this objective: Work Element # 165: Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Title: Permits and ESA Compliance for PIT tagging efforts Description: Obtain local permits and ESA compliance associated with the spawning operations. Work element # 158: Mark / Tag animals Title: PIT tag juvenile wild spring Chinook Description: At the outmigrant taps on CTWSRO reservation streams (described in Objective # 2), insert PIT tags into a portion of the captured juvenile spring Chinook salmon. Work element # 182: PIT tags Title: Purchase PIT tags and Readers Description: Purchase PIT tags and PIT tag readers for spring Chinook salmon monitoring program Work element # 159 Submit / Acquire Data Title: PIT tag reporting Description: Submit data on tagged and released fish and data collected at CTWSRO PIT tag arrays to PITAGIS data managers. Objective 8) Investigate the feasibility of supplementing the production of wild spring Chinook salmon in the Warm Springs River Basin and Shitike Creek. As discussed previously, there is evidence that the habitat in the Warm Springs River basin is capable of producing more wild spring Chinook salmon, particularly in, but not limited to, Beaver Creek and Mill Creek. As such, the feasibility of supplementing wild populations in the Warm Springs and Shitike Creek watersheds will be investigated. Some or all of these actions may take place in 2009; however, if the compliance documentation and / or tribal committee permissions cannot be obtained, work will not proceed until such time permission can be obtained. Some of these actions may also be implemented in coordination with the CTWSRO Deschutes Habitat Restoration Program (BPA MOA Project #2008-301-00)
Work Element # 165: Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Title: Permits and ESA Compliance for Chinook Spawning Operation Description: Obtain local permits and ESA compliance associated with the spawning operations. Work Element # 64: Spawn Fish Title: Spawn BY 2009 wild spring Chinook salmon Description: Spawn approximately 40 wild spring Chinook salmon (20 males, 20 females) at the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery to produce approximately 50,000 eggs for supplementation efforts. Work Element #59: Incubate Eggs Title: Streamside hatch box incubation of spring Chinook salmon Description: Eyed eggs will be transported from the Warm Springs National Fish hatchery to stream side hatchboxes in identified streams in the Warm Springs River Basin upstream of the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. Objective 9) Assist in efforts to reestablish runs of spring Chinook salmon above the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project. Work Element # 156 Develop R, M & E Methods and Designs. Title: Deschutes Anadromous Reintroduction Description: As co-managers of the fisheries resources in the Deschutes River Basin, CTWSRO and ODFW have developed a plan for reintroduction of anadromous fish, including springs Chinook salmon above the Pelton Round Butt Hydroelectric Project (ODFW and CTWSRO 2008). Although the basic outline of reintroduction efforts have been established, the specific duties and responsibilities of the CTWSRO and other partners have not. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT Facilities, personnel, equipment, and vehicles will be provided by the CTWSRO. New equipment purchases will include the cost of one new 5 foot screw trap (Objective 2), PIT tag array equipment and installation (Objective 5) and the video monitoring station (Objective 5). The costs for these items may be cost shared among several BPA projects as well as PSCRF funds. Other equipment purchases may include gear necessary for data collection, including waders, dry suits and snorkeling gear, inflatable kayaks and paddles, polarized sunglasses, nets, chemicals for fish handling, and hand and power tools.
REFERENCES Cates, B. 1992. Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery Evaluation and Anadromous Fish Study on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon, 1975 1989 Progress Report. USFWS Lower Columbia River Fisheries Program Office, Vancouver, Washington CRITFC.1996. WY-KAN-USH-MI WA-KISH-WIT. The Columbia River Anadromous Fish Restoration Plan of the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama Tribes. Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Portland, Oregon. CTWSRO and BIA. 1992a. Integrated Resources Management Plan for the Forested Area (IRMP I). Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs, Oregon CTWSRO and BIA. 1992b. Integrated Resources Management Plan for the Non-forested and Rural Areas (IRMP II). Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs, Oregon ODFW and CTWSRO. 2008. Reintroduction and Conservation Plan for Anadromous Fish in the Upper Deschutes River Sub-basin, Oregon. Edition 1: Spring Chinook Salmon and Summer Steelhead. Portland, Oregon. Gauvin, M., D. Olson, and D. Hand. 2007. Spring Chinook salmon in the Deschutes River, Oregon, Wild and Hatchery 1975 2007 returns and 2008 Run Size Predictions. Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs Oregon CTWRSO and USFWS. 2007. Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery Operational and Implementation Plan 2007-2011. USFWS Lower Columbia River Fisheries Program Office, Vancouver, Washington Lovtang, J. 2008. 2007 CTWSRO Fish Production Program Annual Report. Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs Oregon Lovtang, J., and L. Hewlett. 2007. 2006 CTWSRO Fish Production Program Annual Report. Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs Oregon Northwest Power and Conservation Council, 2003. Mainstem Amendments to the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. Northwest Power and Conservation Council. 2008 Deschutes Subbasin Plan. In Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. Portland, Oregon, 2005.
Key Personnel: JENS LOVTANG, FISH PRODUCTION BIOLOGIST PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR / PROJECT MANAGER Education Oregon State University, M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2005 Humboldt State University, B.S Natural Resources Planning, 1995 Work Experience Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Fish Production Biologist, November 2005 Present Current Duties: Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting of the CTWSRO Fish Production Program, which includes monitoring of natural production of steelhead and spring Chinook salmon in reservation streams, and kokanee salmon in the Metolius River Basin. Participate in the cooperative management of the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis, Oregon Experimental Biology Aide, Gearhart Mountain Bull Trout Project, July August 2005 Experimental Biology Aide, Siletz River Fall Chinook Project, September - October 2005 Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon Graduate Research Assistant (M.S. Candidate), January 2002 June 2005 Portland General Electric, Madras, Oregon Fish Technician, Pelton Round Butte Project April November 1999 Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District, Sisters, Oregon Seasonal Fisheries Biologist, 1996 1998 Recent Publications Lovtang, J.C. 2008. Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Fish Production Program, 2007 Annual Report. Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs, OR Lovtang, J.C., M. Hill, R. Stocking, and B. Hodgson. 2008. Lake Billy Chinook / Metolius River 2007 Kokanee Spawning Population Studies. Tab 17 in Portland General Electric Pelton Round Butte Project, 2008 Annual Fisheries Workshop. Portland General Electric, Portland, Oregon. Lovtang, J.C., 2008. Chinook Reintroduction / Fry Releases in the Metolius River Basin, 2008. Tab 12a in Portland General Electric Pelton Round Butte Project, 2008 Annual Fisheries Workshop. Portland General Electric, Portland, Oregon. Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and The United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2007. Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery, 2007-2011 Operational Plan and Implementation Plan. USFWS, Columbia River Fisheries Program Office, Vancouver, WA. Lovtang, J.C., P. Galbreath, and S. Hyun. 2007. Using a Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar (DIDSON) to enumerate the spawning migration of Kokanee salmon into the Metolius River. Tab 19 in Portland General Electric Pelton Round Butte Project, 2007 Annual Fisheries Workshops. Portland General Electric, Portland, Oregon. Lovtang J.C. 2005. Distribution, Habitat Use, and Growth of Juvenile Chinook Salmon in the Metolius River Basin, Oregon. FERC Number 2030. Portland General Electric, Portland, Oregon.
LISA HEWLETT-DUBISAR, FISHERIES BIOLOGIST Education: Portland State University, B.S Environmental Science, 2000 Work Experience The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Fisheries Biologist, November 2005 - Present Make recommendations and mitigations to conserve, protect, and enhance fisheries resources. Apply the Tribal Integrated Resource Management Plan to timber sales and other land use practices. Write biological assessments on ESA listed fish species. Review proposed projects and write biological evaluations. Frequently communicate with various state and federal agencies. Conduct spring Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout redd counts. Use GPS and GIS to geographically present field data. Construct a fish weir to collect summer steelhead kelts and to monitor underwater video to enumerate upstream migrating adult salmonids. Manage project budgets. Present project results in technical reports, maps, and professional presentations. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Experimental Biology Aid, February 2005 October 2005; June 2004 October 2004; June 2001 October 2001; Performed various sampling techniques to determine escapement and productivity of spring Chinook and summer steelhead in the John Day subbasin. PIT tagged emigrating smolts using rotary screw traps and 100ft beach seine. Performed Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout spawning ground surveys. Identified fin marks, sex, origin, collect scale, kidney, genetic, and ovary samples from salmonid carcasses. Operated and navigated drift boat and jet sled down the Mainstem John Day River. Department of Environmental Quality Natural Resource Specialist 1, June 2004 October 2004 Oregon State University Research Assistant, February 2001 June 2001 JOB-RELATED PUBLICATIONS: Hewlett, L.M. 2007. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. Shitike Creek Summer Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Kelt Reconditioning: Reproductive Success, Monitoring, and Assessment. Lovtang, L. M. Hewlett, and A. Mitchell. 2006. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon Fish Production Program. Annual Progress Report 2006. Lovtang, J., D. Best, L. M. Hewlett, and A. Mitchell. 2005. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon Fish Production Program. Annual Progress Report 2005.
ARTHUR MITCHELL, LEAD IMPLEMENTATION TECHNICIAN Art has worked for the CTWSRO Department of Natural Resources since 2002. His experience with the CTWSRO Fish Production program includes serving as crew leader for spring and fall migrant trapping, redd surveys, snorkeling efforts, and the Shitike Creek steelhead kelt reconditioning program. Art coordinates field activities for the program, including snorkeling and redd counts, and oversees data entry for all field data collection. Education Graduated from Molalla Union High School Molalla, Oregon 1986 Professional Experience Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, 2002 - present Lead Technician, Fish Production Program Duties: Coordinate and implement tribal fisheries research projects including operation and maintenance of field gear (e.g., picket weirs, migrant traps); maintain equipment; lead daily field crew activities; effectively communicate, orally and written; enter, verify, and assist with summarizing of field data; assist in report preparation; and coordinate field sampling activities with a variety of entities. Ironworkers Union Local #27, Portland, Oregon Apprentice Ironworker 2000-2002 Yakama Nation, Land Enterprises, Wapato, Washington Irrigation Field Crew Boss, 1994-2000
FY 2008-2009 F&W Program Accords (MOA) Proposal Review Narrative Table 1. Proposal Metadata (You may provide a link to this information in Pisces, if available, rather than filling out this table.) Project Number 2008-311-00 Proposer Short Description Province(s) Subbasin(s) Contact Name Contact email Information transfer: The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon This project s goal is to monitor steelhead production on the Warm Springs Reservation. We will also attempt to increase steelhead production through the use of hatch boxes. Columbia Plateau Lower Deschutes Jennifer Graham jgraham@wstribes.org A. Abstract Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Deschutes River basin are a part of the Middle Columbia River (MCR) steelhead distinct population segments (DPS). The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed steelhead as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) on March 25, 1999 (64 FR 14517) and NMFS reaffirmed threatened status on January 5, 2006 (71 FR 834). High stray rates of steelhead within the Deschutes River evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) have contributed to a decision by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list Middle Columbia River steelhead as threatened. Steelhead are culturally significant to the people of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWSRO) but also of high economic and recreational value to non-indians. This project addresses objectives of the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Recovery Plan, The Deschutes River Subbasin Plan, and the 2000 Northwest Power and Conservation Council s Fish and Wildlife Program. The proposed project will focus on wild steelhead within the Lower Westside Deschutes Assessment Unit. Project activities will take place in Shitike Creek, the Warm Springs River basin, and other Westside tributaries that enter lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River. Key objectives will focus on monitoring the distribution and abundance of juvenile and adult steelhead, investigating methods of increasing steelhead production, and determining genetic characteristics composition. Methods that will be used to meet these objectives include the use of rotary screw traps, snorkeling, spawning surveys, use of hatch boxes, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging systems and by collection of tissue samples for genetics analysis. Feasibility studies will also be conducted to determine whether PIT tag systems within the Warm Springs basin and Shitike Creek could produce reliable results. Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 1
B. Technical and/or scientific background Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Deschutes River basin are a part of the Middle Columbia River steelhead (MCR) distinct population segments (DPS). MCR steelhead are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) on March 25, 1999 (64 FR 14517) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) reaffirmed status on January 5, 2006 (71 FR 834). Originally NMFS classified MCR steelhead as an evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of salmonids including both the anadromous and resident forms. However NMFS revised its species designation for West Coast steelhead delineating an anadromous, steelhead-only DPS. High stray rates of steelhead into the Deschutes River have contributed to a decision by NMFS to list Middle Columbia River (ESU) as threatened. This project addresses Middle Columbia River steelhead recovery plan needs in conjunction with the Deschutes subbasin plan. Middle Columbia steelhead are distributed over approximately 35,000 square miles in the Columbia plateau of eastern Washington and eastern Oregon (Figure 1). Including all naturally spawned populations of steelhead in the DPS above Wind River, Washington, and Hood River, Oregon, to, and including the Yakima, lower Deschutes, and the John Day River basins (64 FR 14517; 71 FR 849). Objectives of the Lower Westside unit of the Deschutes River Subbasin Plan are consistent with the visions and strategies of the Columbia River Basin (CRB) as written into the 2000 Northwest Power and Conservation Council Program. Key areas of the unit are the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River and its tributaries. This plan addresses biological and habitat strategies for multiple species, including summer steelhead. Life History of Summer Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss exhibit complex life history traits of any Pacific salmonid. Steelhead represent the anadromous form of O. mykiss, whereas rainbow trout are the resident form. Steelhead runs-types are characterized by the season in which they enter freshwater; winter runs which predominate in coastal stream systems, and summer runs which are predominant in large inland river systems such as the Deschutes. Winter and summer steelhead display two different reproductive ecotypes based on the state of sexual maturity at the time of river entry and duration of spawning migration; summer steelhead enter freshwater sexually immature between May and October while winter steelhead enter freshwater sexually mature from November to April (ODFW 2005). Steelhead are iteroparous, whereas all other Oncorhynchus, except cutthroat trout (O. clarki), are semelparous. Gunsolus (1970) reported that steelhead iteroparity rates in the Deschutes basin at 3-7%, compared to a reported 58% for winter steelhead in the Clackamas River. Steelhead rear in the Deschutes River from one to three years before migrating to the ocean (Zimmerman et al. 1999). Juveniles emerge from spawning grounds, in tributaries, and migrate to the mainstem Deschutes River to rear (ODFW 1997). Entrance occurs between age-0 + and age-3+ (ODFW 1997; CTWS unpublished data). Rotary screw trap data from Shitike Creek and Warm Springs River suggest peak outmigration during fall and spring (CTWS unpublished data). Relationships have been observed between timing, temperature, and flow. From March through June, smolts migrate to mature in saltwater (ODFW 1997). Wild Deschutes steelhead average one to two years in the ocean (Cramer et al. 2006). Cramer et al. (2006) noted a minor percentage of fish remaining in saltwater for three years. Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 2
Deschutes River fish enter the Columbia River during summer and then the Deschutes River from August through September (Cramer et. al 2006). Fry (1942) described the lower Deschutes basin as having a spring and fall return of summer steelhead (as cited in Cramer et al. 2006). The fall run begin migration into the Deschutes in August and September to over-winter in the Figure 1. Middle Columbia River steelhead ESU that extends from Oregon to Washington (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/). Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 3
mainstem Deschutes. Spring fish over-wintered in the Columbia until entrance in April and May. Spring and fall immigrants are the same population differing by over-winter location. Spawning occurs in tributaries and mainstem Deschutes River from March to May. Adults will hold in pools and migrate to suitable spawning habitat depending on temperature and location (Cramer et al. 2006; CTWS unpublished data). Typical spawning temperatures are between 50 and 60 ºF (Cramer et al.2006). Zimmerman (1999) showed reproductive isolation exists in spawning habitat and timing between resident and anadromous forms of O. mykiss with minimal overlap in the lower Deschutes River. The period was shorter for the resident form and occurred from March to the end of August. Zimmerman (1999) analyzed redd characteristics of Deschutes steelhead and found average gravel size to be 32.5 mm, redd length of 2 m, redd width of 1.2 m, depth adjacent to pit 54 cm, and mean velocity adjacent to pit of 71.4 cm s -1. Once spawning occurs embryos incubate in gravel 20 to 80 days. Eggs depend on oxygen and cool water temperatures for growth and metabolism. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations below 5 ppm will extend incubation times (Fulton 2004). Water temperature greatly influences egg incubation. At 15.4 o C (60 F) steelhead eggs hatch within 20 days (cite). Colder temperatures will increase incubation (Fulton 2004). Embryos hatch into alevins and remain in the interstices of gravel from 15 to 20 days. Fry will emerge between May and the end of June highly dependent on temperature. History The Deschutes River basin provides vast amounts of production potential for summer steelhead. Since Pelton Hydroelectric Project completion in 1957, abundance and distribution of wild fish has declined (Anadromous fish migration is blocked at Pelton Reregulating dam (RM 100)). Therefore, habitat once available in the middle and upper portions of the Deschutes River basin became inaccessible. Prior to construction, steelhead had access to the Crooked River, Whychus Creek, and possibly the Metolius River (Middle Deschutes Basin) (Nehlsen 1995). Counts of adults in Whychus Creek ranged from 62 to 619 in the 1950 s, and dwindled in the 1960 s (Cramer et al. 2006). At Pelton Dam, counts of wild steelhead from 1957 to 1961 ranged from 354 to 1,619, but by 1967 runs were failing to reproduce the parent runs (Nehlsen 1995). Dwindling returns of adults and juvenile outmigration past the hydroelectric project initiated a hatchery by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to supplement the declining steelhead population. Annually ODFW and the Round Butte Hatchery (RBH) release up to 162,000 yearling smolts to the Deschutes (Palmer 2008). Hatchery reared steelhead return to Pelton Trap for RBH broodstock collection; however, some tributary straying occurs. Currently, hatchery fish that stray into the Warm Springs River, Trout and Shitike Creeks are removed from the system. Not only has Pelton Hydroelectric project affected anadromous fish migration, human activities since the 1800 s in the Deschutes River basin have damaged spawning, rearing, and migration habitat for fish, resulting in substantial depletion of the native salmon and steelhead runs (Nehlsen 1995). Upland grazing caused native grasses to disappear, increase soil erosion, and reduce water storage capacity in watersheds (Nehlsen 1995; Platts 1991). The demand for irrigation reduced available quantities of water for spawning fish which decreased flows and increased summer temperatures (Stuart et al. 1996). Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 4
Present day spawning and rearing distribution is restricted to the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River basin. Spawning and rearing occurs in the mainstem Deschutes River and most tributaries. Focal steelhead spawning areas in the lower Deschutes include Shitike Creek, Warm Springs River watershed, Trout Creek, Wapinitia Creek, White River, Eagle Creek, Nena Creek, Buck Hollow watershed, and Bakeoven Creek watershed (Cramer et al. 2006). Spawning habitat in Eagle and Nena Creek is limited due to natural barriers. Steelhead returning to the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (WSNFH) (RM 9) have been enumerated since 1977. Wild counts have ranged from 79 to 880 (WSNFH unpublished data). Stray hatchery steelhead have ranged from 42 to 988 (WSNFH unpublished data). To preserve the genetic integrity of wild steelhead, all hatchery strays are removed at WSNFH. The spawning and rearing distribution of wild fish throughout the Warm Springs River tributaries is highly variable. Based on redd count data majority of spawning occurs in the upper, mainstem, Warm Springs River followed by Beaver and Mill Creeks (CTWS unpublished data). Beaver and Mill Creeks have available spawning habitat but appears to be underutilized. Since 1977, wild, Round Butte origin and hatchery stray steelhead have been enumerated at Sherars Falls on the Deschutes River (RM 44.1). Wild fish numbers have fluctuated from a low of 482 in 1994 to a high of 9,624 in 1985 (ODFW unpublished data). Stray hatchery steelhead composed on average 13.6% from 1982 to 1986 (Hand et al. 2003) (Figure 3). Since 1987, the mean has increased to 50.9% (Hand et al. 2003). C. Rationale and significance to regional programs Study objectives are consistent with Columbia River Basin Accords (Accord). Specifically, the general principles listed in the Habitat and other Non-Hatchery Actions (Section III). This project will identify and address the actions for steelhead recovery. Based on distribution and better definition of limiting factors, we ll be able to make recommendations to the Deschutes River Restoration Project for habitat improvements which will benefit steelhead production. Furthermore, project objectives are consistent with the Accord because they address subbasin planning objectives and recovery goals for Middle Columbia Steelhead. This project will also meet general provisions for all funded projects. The Accord and 2000 Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) Fish and Wildlife Program (FWP), rely heavily on guidance from subbasin planning efforts. Steelhead is a focal species in the Deschutes River Subbasin Plan. Our efforts focus on meeting objectives listed in the Lower Westside Unit (LWU) of the Deschutes Subbasin Plan. The LWU outlines management goals within westside tributaries to the Deschutes downstream of RM 100, excluding the White River. The goals include maintaining or increasing genetic diversity, production, life history diversity, and distribution of steelhead. The project objectives address each of the goals of the LWU including: collecting genetic samples, monitoring population levels, removing hatchery fish at weirs in the Warm Springs River, attempting to increase production though the use of hatch boxes, and monitoring distribution. The NPCC adopted the 1982 FWP to recover, rebuild, and mitigate impacts on fish and wildlife. The framework of general scientific and policy principles of the 2000 FWP include the vision, biological objectives, and the implementation strategies to restore fish and wildlife populations throughout the entire Columbia River Basin (NPCC 2000). In the NWP vision acknowledges and Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 5
Summer Steelhead Escapement Sherars Falls, Deschutes River, Oregon 1987-2008 30000 25000 Wild Hatchery (Round Butte) Strays Number of Steelhead 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 1987-1988 88-89 89-90 90-91 91-92 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 Years 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 2007-2008 Figure 3. Steelhead escapement at Sherars Falls, Deschutes River, Oregon from 1987-2008 (from Hand et al 2003). ever changing environment and requires an adaptive management approach complete with research and monitoring. This project is based on the principles of collecting sound scientific data to be applied in such a way that steelhead in the basin can be managed using an adaptive approach. Our intention is to also increase production and work towards the delisting of Middle Columbia Steelhead. Research and monitoring efforts will allow us to quantify changes over time and determine if recovery planning goals are being met. The scientific foundation of the FWP is based on sound scientific principles. Specifically, ecological conditions are addressed as well as the importance of diversity within the ecosystem. As an ESA threatened species, steelhead are linked with many ecological functions; therefore, the productivity and abundance of the species will have an effect on the entire ecosystem. Monitoring and increasing production in the Deschutes River will not only work towards steelhead recovery but improve ecosystem function as a whole. We will also be able to address biological objectives on the subbasin level, identifying and assisting managers in addressing habitat based limiting factors for steelhead. Identification of and improvements to factors limiting production will produce a measurable outcome. Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 6
The 2000 NWP overarching objectives identifies the need for sufficient populations for harvest directly linked to tribal treaty rights and trust responsibility. The CTWSRO s overall goal is to restore Middle Columbia steelhead to sustainable, harvestable numbers for the Tribal membership in perpetuity. Specific objectives are to: 1) restore the widest possible set of healthy naturally reproducing populations of salmon and steelhead in each relevant province by 2012 and 2) increase total adult salmon and steelhead runs above Bonneville Dam by 2025 to an average of 5 million annually in a manner that supports tribal and non-tribal harvest (NPCC 2005). Although this project will be based in the Deschutes River, it is known that mainstem Columbia River Dams are a primary limiting factor for Middle Columbia Steelhead. We are currently unable to quantify those effects in westside Deschutes River tributaries. With the overall focus of the NPCC FWP Mainstem Amendments on improvements to mainstem Columbia River dams, improvements to areas detrimental to steelhead will be identified and/or addressed. With a smolt-to-adult ratio calculation we should be able to determine effects of the mainstem Columbia River over time including survivability. This will assist in evaluating if the biological objectives are being met including if improvements are being made that will increase lifecycle survival. The Middle Columbia Steelhead Recovery Plan (MCSRP) identified actions needed to restore the species such that they are self sustaining within their ecosystem and no longer in need of ESA protection (NMFS 2008). Westside Deschutes River populations are of concern to the MCSRP because of their high risk categorization for extinction within 100 years. For the DPS to be de-listed, key actions must be taken including: 1) reduction of out-of-basin strays, 2) restoration of connectivity into historic spawning and rearing areas behind passage barriers, 3) coordination and dissemination of information, 4) improving survival, and 5) addressing habitat problems that decrease productivity. While not all of these actions are specifically addressed in this proposal, CTWSRO is actively working on all addressing these issues. An organized, cooperative approach will be taken to monitoring activities so that information collected by this project can assist in meeting all five key actions. This will include making the results available through electronic form and presenting results in regional forums which will reduce redundancy in future studies. With the new FERC license for operation of the Pelton-Round Butte Complex (PRB), anadromous fishes will be reconnected with habitat in the Middle Deschutes, Crooked, and Metolius rivers. (ODFW and CTWSRO 2008) Recent reintroduction of steelhead fry into Whychus Creek and the Crooked River basin, upstream of the PRB addresses one of the objectives of the MCSRP. The Tribes have played an active role in cooperation with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Portland General Electric. Reintroduction of fish into Whychus Creek is likely to help us meet recovery planning goals. Location of the problem The Deschutes River originates at Little Lava Lake and flows 252 river miles (RM) to the Pacific Ocean (Nehlsen 1995). Drainage area consists of 10,500 square miles (including tributaries) and joins the middle Columbia River at RM 204. The Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project (PRB), a series of three dams that separates the lower and middles sections of the Deschutes River, blocks all anadromous movement. The reregulation dam is the lowest of the three dams at RM 100. Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 7
The lower Deschutes sub-basin has numerous tributaries including Warm Springs River (RM 84), Shitike (RM 94), Trout (RM 88), Buck Hollow (RM 44), and Bakeoven Creeks (RM 52) which provide summer steelhead spawning and rearing habitat (Figure 4). Shitike Creek and Warm Springs River are two major tributaries located entirely on the Warm Springs Reservation. Shitike Creek originates at Harvey Lake and has a drainage area of 104 square miles. Approximately 7.6 miles upstream from the mouth of the Deschutes River, there is a 0.8 mile gorge that may inhibit anadromous fish migration into the upper portion of the watershed at periods of low flow. Springs and small tributaries feed into Shitike. Land management activities include grazing, timber harvest, anthropogenic activities, and conditional use in the upper portion of the watershed. The Warm Springs River is the largest on the reservation at 527 square miles. Its principle water sources are springs and tributaries. A weir located at The Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (RM 10.6) blocks all adult migration. Only wild fish are allowed to pass upstream. There are three main tributaries to the Warm Springs River, Beaver Creek, Mill creek, and Badger Creek, which provide spawning and rearing habitat for summer steelhead. D. Relationships to other projects Table 2. Relationship to existing projects Funding Project # Project Title Relationship (brief) Source BPA 200201600 BPA 200715700 BPA 200830400 BPA 200830100 CRITFC BPA OR Wildlife Heritage Fund n/a Evaluate Status of Lamprey in the Deschutes Subbasin Bull Trout Status and Abundance Spring Chinook Production Monitoring Deschutes Basin Restoration Program Adult steelhead kelt reconditioning 199404200 Trout Creek n/a Bakeoven and Buckhollow Creeks Stray Hatchery Steelhead Assessment Project Assist with limiting factor monitoring specifically water temperature monitoring Assist with limiting factor monitoring specifically water temperature monitoring Will coordinate data collection and cost share project equipment. Will coordinate data collection, collaborate and share information for habitat restoration projects, will assist with limiting factor monitoring and data synthesis. Will coordinate activities where possible and share project information Habitat improvement to increase steelhead production; Hatchery steelhead removal Summer steelhead research that involves estimating run-size, life history, run timing, and removing hatchery steelhead from Buck Hollow and Bakeoven Creeks. Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 8
Figure 4. Lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River basin from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River. Columbia River Basin Accords - Narrative Proposal Form 9